Ynghildr raises an eyebrow suspiciously towards Vaynard as Niflheim is discussed, but continues on with his work silently.
Some of Yudra's wounds closed, but he still looked fairly beaten up. "Thank you," he says, before resuming the search.
Group 1:
With a final, fading hiss, emanating from hacked and mangled lungs, the snake slumps to the ground and dies. All things considered, not a bad result. Except that, seen up close, outside the heat of combat, the creature doesn't look large enough to carry off a full-grown sheep. It might perhaps be a juvenile, or another species of flying snake entirely, but it seems unlikely to be their quarry.
"To be honest your lands do not sound so different than my homeland, though yours were always in a state of winter being so near Hel right? They were known to us as the lands of mists. Our clans do not sound all that different either. Who we are does matter. If it didn't, why seek to survive? We must preserve what we have of our culture and of ourselves. Perhaps what has befallen our worlds can be reversed or is merely a form of eclipse. Maybe there are other places or mysteries to discover."
"You fought beside me Vaynard, that gives us a bit of kinship. At least it is better than being without an ally.I understand that loyalty you spoke of only a moment ago."
Thorfinn grimaces, realizing how small their quarry was.
"Uh, did we just kill an innocent bystander type critter?" He said, scratching his beard.
Group 2:
Yudra's search for healing supplies turns up a small kit stashed upon a shelf. It contains needle, thread and bandages, suitable for stitching up a wound out here in the wild, as well as a salve to stave off infection. Following Vaynard's healing, only a single long gash and some bruising remains, so stitching and binding the wound should be reasonably straightforward.
The elf shakes her head to the offer of food, preferring to relate her tale, "I am Methild, lately of Aelfheim. When my people came to the Bifrost on the wings of Ragnarok, we had been made refugees by defeat. Those items which we carried with us into exile were largely dictated by the vagaries of chance, or personal whim, as we believed ourselves fated to perish, with all else, in the war."
"Few in number as the elves are, we have chosen to dwell together, keeping alive the memory of what we were and pooling our knowledge and skills in service of the community. One among us, however, has betrayed our trust, absconding with a relic entrusted to us by the Feathered Lady."
"I was tasked to track the thief and bring her back. From my knowledge of her, I did not anticipate this would pose great difficulty. Yet it seems she is more than I had believed, given her ability to conjure such creatures in her defense. To return to Ragnfeld for aid would take time and risk her escape, and so I must ask your support in this."
"Regardless of wether or not this was the beat that has been killing livestock it does prove that their can exist a larger creature. We also now know it hunts by injecting ts victim with venom." Elric says as he steps up to the fallen serpent with a flick of his wrist a dagger falls into his hand. He then knells next to it and begins removing some of its feathers to make new fletchings with. He lays his hand on its head and thanks it for its feathers. "Thanks for the save baby." He says with a genuine smile as he looks over at Edyssa. "Damn thing was tryn ta take me along with those monkeys."
"Tell us more," says Yudra, as he starts to tend to himself. "I would know more of this feathered lady and this task."
To hear that an Oathbreaker was being allowed to live set his jaw on edge. The times had changed and now he would have to change with them. It doesn't however stop him from hissing in disapproval more to himself than anyone else. "An Oathbreaker..." Vaynard turns from the window, unable to take much more of the glaring sun and heat. He turns to look at Methild then. Nodding in agreement with Yudra's statement.
He knows nothing about nothingl
Ynghildr scoops the changed bolts into a pocket of his backpack, along with the scrapings, perhaps to examine them further at some point in the future.
He leans back against the wall on his stool, arms folded, glaring down at the table.
"Regardless of wether or not this was the beat that has been killing livestock it does prove that their can exist a larger creature. We also now know it hunts by injecting ts victim with venom." Elric says as he steps up to the fallen serpent with a flick of his wrist a dagger falls into his hand. He then knells next to it and begins removing some of its feathers to make new fletchings with. He lays his hand on its head and thanks it for its feathers. "Thanks for the save baby." He says with a genuine smile as he looks over at Edyssa. "Damn thing was tryn ta take me along with those monkeys."
Edyssa shrugs after a calming breath. Not a problem. She smiles at her husband and watches as he plucks the feathers. Nobody messes with my husband, not even feathered critters! She leans down and unceremoniously snatches a few feathers herself. She runs her fingers through the plumes, examining them. Thorfinn, care for a few feathers? Could make for an excellent feather duster! What about you Elric? Feather duster my love?
Elric raises an eyebrow about the feather duster. Then his eyes go wide as the implications set in. "A feather duster hmm?" He says with a leading manner and wide smile before looking over at Thorfinn and clearing his throat. "I mean of course we can never have enough cleaning stuff can't le the house get dirty. Nowdon'twehaveabiggersnaketohunt?!"
He says the last sentence hurried and rushed.
Thorfinn waives the feathers offer off.
"No thanks, I'm good."
He looked around for threats.
"Well then; back to hiding?"
Seeing his brother finishing the process of stitching himself up, Ynghildr abruptly stands and walks towards the lodge's entryway. He stops, momentarily, to turn back to the woman.
"You can tell us more while we move."
And then he slips outside.
"Ynghildr is correct," says Yudra, as he puts the medical kit away, then heads to the door and waits for the elf to come before following.
He arcs an eyebrow before shaking his head and saying quite frankly. "Elatus Catulos..." Vaynard's ears were angled flat and back in irritation but he shoulders his gear-bag and nods to Methild. "What they mean is... If we are going to catch your Oathbreaker we need to get on the trail, quickly. Lest we lose her to the wind."
This is the first time he regards her.
Its the first time he looks at the Elfin woman, extending a hand to help her out of her seat. The motion was more ceremonial as he sealed his Oath for aiding her. "By the roots of Yggdrasil I swear to aid in your endeavor, Methild of Aelfheim, if you will have me. Since I aid your people I decline any reward. I will follow your commands so that I do not shame your quest. I am oathbound until you release me."
Once it was done he settled in behind her, following her out of the cabin.
Once outside the cabin he bundles up a shirt, ties it above his head and douses it with water to keep him cool. He remains behind the woman unless directed to do otherwise.
"Huh, I must have missed what went on there. We saved her from the bears, while I don't feel oath-bound or feel like a life debt is in order, I will tag along. After all this may be why the gods led me here. Can't miss an opportunity to chase destiny."
"Vaynard, tomorrow I will ask the gods to grant you relief from the heat."
"It'll let things cool off in town anyway."
He nods to Hedrick as he states simply. Expanding on the ideals he grew up with but trying not to sound long winded. "It was custom to expect payment for aid. Crafting was limited, bartering was how we traded for goods. But Oath's solidify what is expected and what will be given." He shifts his pack a frown on his furred face as he turns his head to regard Hedrik with his good eye. "Hard times hit us all."
He had what he needed. "Besides, fighing the bears was fun..." The Elfin were suffering now.
"I couldn't blame one for enjoying the show," says Yudra, as he follows the rest out.
Vaynard grimaces. "At least you proved stronger than the beasts. Distance was our only companion when it came to the beasts of the wastes. Where are you and your brother from Yudra?"
"We hail from Iskalvia in the north," says Yudra. After a moment, he adds, "From Midgard, that is. Most people in Ragnfeld come from there."
Vaynard nods. "I only know most of these places and their people from stories. We never ventured far from the rooted clan hold. Are there far more powerful men from where you hail?"
"Perhaps there were," he says. He tilts his head upward and presses his lips together for a moment. "Certainly, there were skillful warriors, men of great faith and great knowledge. I had little to do with them, or anyone else; I kept to myself. Now they are dead."
"A pity. Now that I am forced away from my homeland, I would have liked to have seen these legendary places. Perhaps one day we will find them again..." He adjusts his chain shirt as it writhes in the heat, pouring some water on his chest plate settles the unruly armor.
Group 2:
"In truth, we know little of the Feathered Lady," Mathild says as they walk, "She intervened on our behalf under dire circumstances, and was plainly a being of Power. She tore apart the glamours which cloaked our foes, calling down fire to consume them. In that time and place, nothing of Ragnarok could hold the field."
"In the wake of the battle, she gave her necklace into our keeping, bidding us carry it to the Rainbow Bridge, and to hold the portal for as long as we could. Why she entrusted the necklace to us, and to what purpose, I do not know."
"Most of the remaining elves were on that field and party to that trust. Fenian, my quarry, is an exception, having made her own way to the Bridge. My task is to return both the necklace and her, that she may account for her actions."
Vaynard's ears flicked in irritation, he wisely though kept it to himself. "Do we know where this Fenian is running to? Is there anything else known of Her?"
"As well, is it Fenian that conjured those bears? What else is she capable of? I assume taking her alive is not a fool's errand, if you were sent."
At the mention of the portal, and the turmoil what surrounded it, Ynghildr stops and glances back towards Mathild for a moment. He casts a spell, the air around his armor taking on a nearly imperceptibly more rigid characteristic.
"Fenian will not escape with the necklace."
His tone is totally resolute.
"Where would you return her to? Your people's enclave? Where could she hope to make it to anyway?"
Well, she made it to the portal on her own . . . So did I . . . Maybe there is another way out or in.
Group 1:
Group 2:
Mathild nods, taking the questions in stride, "Fenian, by her own account, was in Alfheim when Ragnarok fell upon us. She was caught up in the burning of Aesthelm Library, escaped from there to Midgard and then here. She is young as we measure it and a moderately capable mage. She is not, however, battle-trained, her skills tending more towards scholarship. As to her destination, I am unsure. She has spent some time walking the Bridge, but in her own company."
"The summoning of these bears for so long is well beyond what I've seen her or anyone else exhibit; The chase lasted for a good hour. I had thought to simply stay out of their reach until the spell expired, but it never happened. Under the circumstances, we must assume she is more accomplished than I had thought, though I still do not believe her capture is beyond us."
Yudra nods. "So you have seen her since? What anything strange or unusual about her? Did she say anything of note"
"We may not be the only ones after her then. Or more correctly, after the necklace."
"Or she steals her strength from the Feathered Ones item she stole... If she is the scholar you say she is, perhaps she knows how to use it and I assume she is." Vaynard adjusts his gear, uncomfortable with the thought of the coming confrontation, he hoped he could keep distance but it depended on what else this Fenian could do. "Her capture isn't beyond us, it will be difficult."
Ynghildr trudges onwards, taking point a few paces ahead of Mathild.
Trudging along too.
Group 2:
Mathild shrugs, "Nothing stood out. She has been dour and standoffish, as have many people since Ragnarok, and has spent time exploring the Bridge on her own." It seems she has exhausted her insights into Fenian.
The journey proceeds from there. The Bridge is a lush place, full of greenery, though often that greenery is far above their heads, forming a canopy which plunges the forest floor below into shade. Every so often, smaller creatures can be seen, giving the group a wide berth, but much of the life is up amongst the treetops, the cries of animals punctuating the walk from time to time. Here and there, for those paying attention, the bears' pawprints can be made out.
After perhaps an hour and a half of steady marching, Mathild calls a halt, in a patch of forest much like any other, "This is where I caught up with Fenian," she says, "We will have to pick up her trail here. Since she now knows she has been followed, she may have made it difficult."
Yudra, his tattoos having long since faded from a soft rainbow shimmer to their prior iridescence, gives the elven woman a nod, and takes a moment to view the scenery and listen to the various sounds of the forest for anything awry. Then without a word, he turns his attentions toward trying to track their quarry.
"Wow Yudra, must be some crazy tracker too, because I can't even see a track where he's looking. The person definately went this way though. Let's see if I can keep the trail though."
"You must be a fair hand at tracking too, eh Vaynard?"
Vaynard moved forward at the Elfin's word, searching with the skill born from the brutal cold of his homeland. This soft earth proved easy compared to find tracks in blowing snow and cross winds...
As he worked he brought various bits of fauna and dirt to his keen nose, trying to find any interesting scents. His ears lay flat momentarily while he performed his task, he'd made an oath and he would keep it.
Group 1:
There is a certain amount of excitement over the rest period but not, alas, of the type they may have been hoping for. Rather, the snake's carcass draws in scavengers, each intent upon eating its fill before something larger and scarier turns up. In the end, one of the jungle's big, spotted cats claims the carcass, dragging it part way up a small tree before settling in to eat. Thankfully, none of the scavengers seem willing to tangle with people, but they bear watching nonetheless.
No further snakes have presented themselves. Well, not flying ones, at least. An ordinary, if large ground-bound snake slithers past at one point, moving about on some business of its own. After a leisurely breakfast, it seems like time to make a decision - do they continue to wait here, where they know at least one snake has spent time, or do they move on to another possible site?
The decision is postponed a little, as they catch sight of somebody walking down the ridgetop path. A middle-aged woman with a sightly awkward gait, leaning on a staff. "Greetings," she says as she draws closer, "Might you spare a bite to eat? Perhaps some news?"
Thorfinn popped out of the blind, cracking his back and stretching.
"Ahh! That was a long time sitting in one spot. Greetings! A bite I think we can spare... How about this apple?" Thorfinn shouted.
He lobbed an apple to her in an informal and friendly way.
Ynghildr slowed down to match the speed of his associates, who seemed intent on picking two separate paths through the terrain.
Group 1:
Catching the apple easily, the woman bites into it with every sign of enjoyment, "Much appreciated. You just don't see apples out in the wilds; it's been a while. Iodenna Sigrunsdottir," she says by way of introduction, "What brings you out? A hunting expedition?"
Iodenna's appraising gaze takes in each of the three in turn. She is herself dressed practically for the jungle, a light pack on her back no doubt containing the essentials for travel. A hatchet and dart thrower, suitable for bringing down small game, sit at her hip. From the looks, she's become quite at home in Bifrost's jungles.
Group 2:
Intent upon casting about for tracks, Yudra almost steps on a decent-sized snake, warned off at the last moment by a warning hiss. Whilst not big enough to make a meal of him, it might still do some damage if provoked.
Meanwhile, Vaynard and Hedrick find something more promising the occasional shallow boot print leading up to a point... And then mingling briefly with and being replaced by hoofprints, as of a small riding horse. A distinct oddity, given the rarity of horses among Bifrost's settlers, but they should be easy enough to track.